雨生红球藻培养过程中色素动态变化与光合生理特性研究

以雨生红球藻Haematococcus pluvialis CG-06为实验材料,分析测定在正常培养周期内藻细胞主要色素的变化动态、光合生理特性,以及培养基中硝态氮的含量。结果表明,雨生红球藻在绿色细胞阶段的主要色素包括:叶绿素、叶黄素、β-胡萝卜素,培养至红色细胞阶段增加了角黄素、海胆酮、虾青素单酯及双酯等次生类胡萝卜素。硝态氮浓度在培养初期下降迅速,第3 d降至4.875 mg/L,下降了85.3%,至第7 d下降为0.169 mg/L。雨生红球藻培养至第7 d时,细胞中开始检测出虾青素,含量为0.159 mg/g,此时虾青素合成速度较快,至第11 d虾青素含量上升为1.68 mg/g,在虾青素合成初期β-胡萝卜素的含量下降。藻细胞的光合速率、呼吸速率和NPQ在培养前期比较稳定,第7 d细胞光合速率开始下降,而呼吸速率和NPQ则上升,在整个培养周期中,藻细胞的Fv/Fm变化不明显。     

褪黑素对非生物胁迫下雨生红球藻中虾青素积累的影响

以雨生红球藻Haematococcus pluvialis LUGU株为研究对象, 研究在高光照和缺氮胁迫条件下, 添加不同浓度褪黑素(melatonin, MLT)对雨生红球藻生长、虾青素积累、活性氧(ROS)、信号分子及dxs基因表达量的影响。结果表明, 外源添加10 μmol/L MLT可有效提高藻细胞中虾青素的含量, 最高可达31.32 mg/g, 是对照组(13.27 mg/g)的2.36倍; 抑制了细胞内ROS水平, 上调了信号分子一氧化氮(NO)和水杨酸(SA)的含量; 此外, dxs基因表达水平比对照组明显提高, 最高达11.3倍。研究表明, 在非生物胁迫条件下, 雨生红球藻中虾青素的大量积累可能与外源MLT调控细胞内ROS、信号分子及基因表达有关。     

组合处理对新型斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliqast)积累虾青素的研究

[目的]研究20μmol/L褪黑素和0.2 mg/L水杨酸(SA)组合3.0 mg/L茉莉酸甲酯等组合处理诱导新型斜生栅藻协同促进积累虾青素的效应。[方法]在优化和改良的BG11培养基中培养,营养细胞培养阶段用一系列平行的40.0W红光灯管和1.2 m长28.0 W蓝光灯管照射藻液(总光照强度为252μmol·m~(-2)s~(-1)),连续培养至对数生长期,每天震荡摇动培养物2次,防止黏壁。对数生长期1 d后,通过1.2 m长蓝光灯管+高光强+氮饥饿+51.8 g/L葡萄糖和20.0 g/L木糖,进行生物量发酵和诱导部分虾青素,继续培养3 d(方案1),然后在广泛诱导阶段,分步提高光照强度高约555μmol·m~(-2)s~(-1)后,培养3 d(方案2),继续光照,再通过2μmol/L褪黑素组合3.0 mg/L茉莉酸甲酯加0.2 mg/L水杨酸诱导获得虾青素,继续培养5 d(方案3)。[结果]3个处理方案均能轻微促进斜生栅藻细胞密度的增加,最大生物量达到0.91×10~6个/mL强度。方案3处理组藻细胞内SA含量适度提升为1.0 mmol/L,藻体内虾青素含量为9.6%,显著高于对照组(P 0.05)。运用荧光定量PCR分析表明:经过方案3处理后,斜生栅藻新藻种(Scenedesmus obliqast)体内ipi、psy、crtR-b基因的表达量分别为对照的15.60、16.20、19.68倍,均有显著差异(P 0.05)。尤其是lyc基因的表达量为对照的31.20倍,达到差异极显著(P 0.01)。从方案1到方案3,bkt、zds和pds基因的表达量逐渐增加,但不明显(P 0.05)。[结论]方案3的组合处理能使藻细胞内积累适度提升的水杨酸信号分子,适度提升的胞内SA含量就显著促进了虾青素的增长,而且组合处理协同调控7种关键酶基因表达。因此,2μmol/L褪黑素组合0.2 mg/L水杨酸加3.0 mg/L茉莉酸甲酯等诱导是非常有效的。     

外源2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚对非生物胁迫条件下雨生红球藻虾青素积累的影响

【背景】雨生红球藻是天然虾青素的最佳来源,广泛应用于虾青素的工业化生产。【目的】探究外源添加不同浓度的2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚(Butylated hydroxytoluene,BHT)对雨生红球藻虾青素积累的影响,以期建立BHT提高雨生红球藻虾青素产量的技术体系。【方法】选用不含硝态氮的BBM培养基,辅以强光照,培养雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)LUGU,测试不同浓度BHT对雨生红球藻生物量、虾青素含量、活性氧、抗氧化系统和虾青素合成相关酶基因的影响。【结果】在0-3 mg/L BHT范围内,2 mg/L BHT对雨生红球藻虾青素积累的促进效果最佳,达到31.66 mg/g。2 mg/L BHT有效降低了雨生红球藻内的活性氧水平,增加了细胞内NO水平,提高了藻细胞内过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)和超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxidedismutase,SOD)活性以及谷胱甘肽(Glutathione,GSH)的含量,诱导了虾青素合成关键酶基因chy和lcy的高效表达。【结论】非生物胁迫条件下,外源添加适量的BHT能促进雨生红球藻中虾青素的积累,且与藻细胞内的信号分子活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)、NO水平及虾青素合成相关基因的表达调控相关。     

光照、温度和pH对雨生红球藻光合特性的影响

采用测定光合放氧速率和荧光动力学的方法,研究分析了光照强度、温度和pH对雨生红球藻Haematococcus pluvialis CG-11绿色游动细胞阶段光合作用特性的影响。结果表明,H. pluvialis CG-11光合作用的饱和光强为109.1 μmol/m2·s,最大光合放氧速率为75.9 μmol O2/mg Chla·h;适宜的生长温度范围在25－30℃之间,温度在25℃时光合速率最大;pH在7.5－8.0范围内,光合效率较高,在pH为7.5时放氧速率最大,为75.5 μmol O2/mg Chla·h。在实验pH条件下,H. pluvialis CG-11叶绿素荧光动力学参数呈现出相似的趋势,在6.0－7.5范围内,Fv/ Fm、Fv/ F0、ΦPSⅡ和ETR值随pH升高而增大,pH为7.5时达到最大值,pH超过7.5时,Fv/ Fm和Fv/ F0值明显下降,而ΦPSⅡ和ETR的下降趋势不明显。     

4株真眼点藻的生长及光合生理特性

目的:研究4株真眼点藻(Eustigmatos sp.、Eustigmatos polyphem、Vischeria helvetica、Nannochloropsis oculata)的生长、色素组成及光合生理特性。方法:采用重量法、HPLC和分光光度法及液相氧电极法测定藻细胞的色素组成和光合生理指标在不同时相的变化。结果:4种藻最大生物质浓度分别为:9.4 g·L-1(E.sp.)、10.42 g·L-1(E.polyphem)、7.26 g·L-1(V.helvetica)和7.15 g·L-1(N.oculata);随培养时间延长,其chlorophyll a/β-carotene和violaxanthin/β-carotene的值均降低,最大光合速率先上升后下降,最大呼吸速率则不断上升;N.oculata的最大光合速率和呼吸速率达到最高,分别为59.62μmol O2·mg-1Chla·h-1和54.23μmol O2·mg-1Chla·h-1;4种藻的77 K低温荧光发射光谱均没有高等植物PSⅠ730 nm处的特征峰。结论:真眼点藻的生长与光合生理特征具有种间差异性,其77 K低温荧光发射光谱与高等植物相比具有特异性。     

氧化胁迫对Alkalibacterium sp. F26防御酶和辅因子的影响

将一株能够高产过氧化氢酶的低度嗜盐嗜碱茵Alkalibacterium sp.F26作为模式微生物,采用高效液相色谱技术测定胞内代谢物浓度,研究氧化胁迫对其防御酶活性和辅因子的影响.研究结果表明:相比低浓度H2O2(＜1 mmol/L)胁迫,此菌株在高浓度H2O2(＞1 mmol/L)胁迫下的应答表现曼为明显:经3 mmol/L H2O2胁迫后胞内CAT酶活为106.54 U/mg protein,是对照产量的1.76倍;ATP浓度则从对照浓度20.55 μmol/L下降到17.80 μmol/L;NAD 浓度自对照样品的69.89 μmol/L减少至31.77 μmol/L.由于ATP和NAD 浓度的减少,相比未经过H2O2胁迫菌体.细胞能荷值EC从0.77降低至0.68,NADH/NAD 则从0.08增加至0.41.然而,这种应答机制在细胞受到低浓度H2O2的胁迫后并不明显:除发现100 μmol/L H2O2能够导致细胞防御机制的激活而使胞内ATP浓度相比对照有所增加的情况外,经50 μmol/L和500 μmol/L H2O2胁迫后胞内ATP水平从对照的22.69 μmol/L只下降到22.38 μmol/L和13.70 μmol/L;并且此种胁迫条件下NADH浓度变化也不显著.     

斜生栅藻对不同形态锑胁迫的响应及抗性研究

该研究以斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为研究对象,研究不同浓度的Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)胁迫下对斜生栅藻生长速率、叶绿素a、抗氧化酶活性和细胞表面结构的影响,以探讨重金属胁迫下斜生栅藻的抗性机理。结果表明:(1)在高浓度Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)胁迫处理中,斜生栅藻生长对Sb(Ⅲ)胁迫的响应更加迅速;随着Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)胁迫浓度增加,斜生栅藻体内叶绿素a含量呈下降趋势,且对Sb(Ⅲ)胁迫浓度的变化反应更为敏感。(2)在800μmol/L Sb(Ⅲ)和Sb(Ⅴ)胁迫下,斜生栅藻体内丙二醛(MDA)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性分别在胁迫第7~8天和第6~7天时变化更为明显;过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在胁迫处理的第4~5天就迅速增加,对Sb胁迫响应比SOD更为迅速。(3)在高浓度Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)胁迫下,斜生栅藻细胞结构受到严重损伤,而且Sb(Ⅲ)对斜生栅藻细胞的损伤更加明显。研究发现,Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)对斜生栅藻生长、叶绿素a及细胞结构表现出不同程度的抑制和破坏作用,其细胞受到的影响程度与Sb(Ⅲ)、Sb(Ⅴ)的处理浓度及处理时间均密切相关,但斜生栅藻依靠自身抗氧化酶系统在一定程度上能够缓解Sb胁迫的不利影响。     

2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸(2,4-D)对雨生红球藻中虾青素积累的影响

本文初步研究了一定浓度范围内的2,4-D对雨生红球藻积累虾青素的影响.在对数生长 期的藻液中分别加入一系列不同浓度的2,4-D溶液,然后进行胁迫培养(25℃、24h、5000Lx连续光照 营养盐饥饿),诱导细胞内虾青素的合成积累.在诱导过程中,显微观察不同浓度2,4-D处理后细胞形态和虾青素积累的动态变化,并定期取样测定虾青素含量.结果表明,20.0mg/L的2,4-D能够明显促进雨生红球藻中积累虾青素.它不仅可以加快虾青素积累进程(比对照提前15 d),而且比对照能提高13.4%的虾青素产量.     

链状亚历山大藻赤潮衰亡的生理调控

研究了链状亚历山大藻在对数生长期、衰亡期、高氮、低氮条件下,藻细胞中可溶性蛋白含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H2O2)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量、光合速率和呼吸速率、DNA降解、端粒酶活性的变化。结果表明:在衰亡期、高氮、低氮条件下链状亚历山大藻细胞中可溶性蛋白、GSH含量、光合速率和呼吸速率下降;SOD活性(低氮条件除外)、H2O2、MDA含量上升;端粒酶活性和DNA Ladder随着藻细胞生长而变化,并在衰亡时期,出现了明显的DNALadder。研究结果显示链状亚历山大藻衰亡过程的反应表现为:蛋白质合成受阻或降解,产生大量氧化中间产物(MDA,H2O2等),抗氧化系统被激活,GSH等非酶抗氧化物质被大量消耗,SOD等酶抗氧化物被激活;另外表现为光合速率和呼吸速率下降;同时活性氧自由基(Reactive Oxygen Species,ROS)的积累诱发了细胞凋亡,核酸内切酶被激活,选择性降解染色质DNA。推测低氮、高氮条件均可以加快藻细胞的衰亡的生理过程,链状亚历山大藻的赤潮衰亡是一种有序的死亡过程。     

Carotenoid production and change of photosynthetic functions in Scenedesmus sp. exposed to nitrogen limitation and acetate treatment

Under stress conditions, some microalgae up-regulate certain biosynthetic pathways, leading to the accumulation of specific compounds. For example, changing nutrient composition can induce stress in algae’s physiological activities, which may trigger an intense increase in carotenoid production. In this study, the change of photosynthetic functions and carotenoid production in the green microalga Scenedesmus sp. was investigated when algal cultures were exposed to conditions including limited nitrogen content with the addition of sodium acetate. Microalgal cultures were treated for 18 days under higher irradiance conditions. We observed a decrease of chlorophyll content induced concomitantly with a decline of photosystem II and I photochemistry. At the same time, an important increase in carotenoid content was detected. By using high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis, we found that the secondary carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin were accumulated compared to controls. During the process of carotenoid accumulation, chlorophyll degradation was found in addition to a strong decrease in photosynthetic electron transport. Such changes may be associated with the structural reorganization of the photosynthetic apparatus and can be a useful indicator of secondary carotenoid accumulation in algal cultures.     

Carotenoid content in growing cells of Haematococcus pluvialis during a sunlight cycle

Under certain culture conditions, cells of the chlorophyte Haematococcus pluvialis accumulate significant amounts of astaxanthin. This study describes biomass and carotenoid production during a sunlight cycle in a continuous culture of growing cells of H. pluvialis and shows that these two parameters are under the control of irradiance. The hourly carotenoid production increases with light intensity and, in our culture conditions, carotenoid accumulation occurs in a few hours and without any morphological change in the algae. These carotenoids seem to be efficient in protecting algal cells against photoinhibition damage if their content is greater than 1% dry biomass. Below this concentration, that is to say in the early hours of high light intensity, dry biomass decreases due to cell lysis. The results demonstrate that secondary carotenoid accumulation in H. pluvialis may occur in the active growth phase and is stimulated from the first hours of sunlight illumination.     

PIGMENT AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC RESPONSES OF OSCILLATORIA AGARDHII (CYANOPHYTA) TO PHOTON FLUX DENSITY AND SPECTRAL QUALITY1

The effects of photon flux density (PFD) and spectral quality on biomass, pigment content and composition, and the photosynthetic activity of Oscillatoria agardhii Gomont were investigated in steady-state populations. For alterations of PFD, chemostat populations were exposed to 50, 130 and 230 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1 of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). Decreases in biomass, chlorophyll a (Chl a) and c-phycocyanin (CPC) contents, and CPC: Chl a and CPC: carotenoid content was not altered. Increases in the relative abundances of myxoxanthophyll and zeaxanthin and deceases in the relative abundances of echinenone and β-carotene within the carotenoid pigments coincided with increasing PFD. Increases in Chl a-specific photosynthetic rates and maxima and decreases in biomass-specific photosynthetic rates and maxima with increasing PFD were attributed to increased light harvesting by carotenoids per unit Chl a and reduction in total pigment content, respectively. Responses to spectral quality were tested by exposing chemostat populations to a gradient of spectral transmissions at 50 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1 PAR. Biomass differences among populations were likely attributable to the distinct absorption of the PAR spectrum by Chl a, CPC, and carotenoids. Although pigment contents were not altered by spectral quality, relative abundances of zeaxanthin and echinenone in the carotenoid pigments increased in populations exposed to high-wavelength PAR. The population adapted to green light possessed a greater photosynthetic maximum than populations adapted to other spectral qualities.     

Biofilm growth and near-infrared radiation-driven photosynthesis of the chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina

The cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina is the only known phototroph harboring chlorophyll (Chl) d. It is easy to cultivate it in a planktonic growth mode, and A. marina cultures have been subject to detailed biochemical and biophysical characterization. In natural situations, A. marina is mainly found associated with surfaces, but this growth mode has not been studied yet. Here, we show that the A. marina type strain MBIC11017 inoculated into alginate beads forms dense biofilm-like cell clusters, as in natural A. marina biofilms, characterized by strong O(2) concentration gradients that change with irradiance. Biofilm growth under both visible radiation (VIS, 400 to 700 nm) and near-infrared radiation (NIR, ～700 to 730 nm) yielded maximal cell-specific growth rates of 0.38 per day and 0.64 per day, respectively. The population doubling times were 1.09 and 1.82 days for NIR and visible light, respectively. The photosynthesis versus irradiance curves showed saturation at a photon irradiance of E(k) (saturating irradiance) >250 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) for blue light but no clear saturation at 365 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) for NIR. The maximal gross photosynthesis rates in the aggregates were ～1,272 μmol O(2) mg Chl d(-1) h(-1) (NIR) and ～1,128 μmol O(2) mg Chl d(-1) h(-1) (VIS). The photosynthetic efficiency (α) values were higher in NIR-irradiated cells [(268 ± 0.29) × 10(-6) m(2) mg Chl d(-1) (mean ± standard deviation)] than under blue light [(231 ± 0.22) × 10(-6) m(2) mg Chl d(-1)]. A. marina is well adapted to a biofilm growth mode under both visible and NIR irradiance and under O(2) conditions ranging from anoxia to hyperoxia, explaining its presence in natural niches with similar environmental conditions.     

Response to ozone in two lettuce varieties on chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments and lipid peroxidation.

The effect of different O3 concentrations on two lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) varieties (Valladolid and Morella) was investigated through chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b and total carotenoid), lipid peroxidation and crop yield. Ozone fumigation caused: a decrease in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Fv/Fm) in mature leaves, a reduction in the non-cyclic electron flow (phiPSII) and a lower capacity to reoxidize the QA pool (qP). These reductions were significant in the Valladolid var. but not in the Morella var. A significant decrease in Chl a, b and in the total carotenoids was observed in the Valladolid var. but not in the Morella var. mainly under O3 fumigation conditions. We observed that the NPQ parameter did not increase in parallel to the qP reduction seen in the Valladolid var. O3 fumigation with respect to air charcoal filtered air conditions. This fact could be associated with a lower capacity for dissipation of non-radiative excess energy and it may be closely correlated with significant decreases in photosynthetic pigment concentration. A decrease in NPQ from air ozone-free to ozone fumigation in the Morella var. can be explained by the need to maintain the photochemical quenching under O3 stress. It may also be associated with a slight increase in photosynthetic pigments. The differences between the two varieties may indicate that the Valladolid var. is more susceptible to O3 damage.     

Comparative Characterization of the Pigment Complex in Emergent, Floating, and Submerged Leaves of Hydrophytes

The content of chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids was studied in the leaves of 42 species of boreal aquatic plants with different degree of submergence (emergent, floating, and submerged) and isopalisade, dorsoventral, and homogenous types of mesophyll structure. Hydrophytes were shown to have a low Chl content (1–2 mg/g fr wt) and low Chls/carotenoids ratio (2.3–3.5) as compared to terrestrial plants. The pigment content per dry wt unit and unit leaf area was dependent on the type of mesophyll structure. It was a consequence of the changes in the parameters of leaf mesophyll structure characterizing the density of photosynthetic elements. In a sequence emergent floating submerged forms, the content of Chls and carotenoids decreased, and the photosynthetic capacity decreased due to a reduction in the chloroplast number per unit leaf area. Adaptation of submerged leaves to low illumination and slow CO₂ diffusion changed the functional properties of chloroplasts. An increase in the pigment content in the chloroplasts of submerged leaves (7 × 10^–9 mg Chl, 2 × 10^–9 mg carotenoids) as compared to emergent and floating leaves was accompanied by a decline in the photosynthetic capacity per Chl comprising 1.6 mg CO₂/(mg Chl h) versus 3.9 and 3.8 mg CO₂/(mg Chl h) in emergent and floating leaves, respectively.     

Methylglyoxal functions as Hill oxidant and stimulates the photoreduction of O(2) at photosystem I: a symptom of plant diabetes

We elucidated the metabolism of methylglyoxal (MG) in chloroplasts of higher plants. Spinach chloroplasts showed MG-dependent NADPH oxidation because of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) activity. K(m) for MG and V(max) of AKR activity were 6.5 mm and 3.3 μmol NADPH (mg Chl)(-1) h(-1) , respectively. Addition of MG to illuminated chloroplasts induced photochemical quenching (Qp) of Chl fluorescence, indicating that MG stimulated photosynthetic electron transport (PET). Furthermore, MG enhanced the light-dependent uptake of O(2) into chloroplasts. After illumination of chloroplasts, accumulation of H(2) O(2) was observed. K(m) for MG and V(max) of O(2) uptake were about 100 μm and 200 μmol O(2) (mg Chl)(-1) h(-1) , respectively. MG-dependent O(2) uptake was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone (DBMIB). Under anaerobic conditions, the Qp of Chl fluorescence was suppressed. These results indicate that MG was reduced as a Hill oxidant by the photosystem I (PSI), and that O(2) was reduced to O(2) (-) by the reduced MG. In other words, MG produced in chloroplasts is preferentially reduced by PSI rather than through AKR. This triggers a type of oxidative stress that may be referred to as 'plant diabetes', because it ultimately originates from a common metabolite of the primary pathways of sugar anabolism and catabolism.     

Low growth temperature-induced changes to pigment composition and photosynthesis in Zea mays genotypes differing in chilling sensitivity

The effects on pigment composition and photosynthesis of low temperature during growth were examined in the third leaf of three chilling-tolerant and three chilling-sensitive genotypes of Zea mays L. The plants were grown under a controlled environment at 24 or 14 °C at a photon flux density (PFD) of 200 or 600 μ mol m^–2 s^–1. At 24 °C, the two classes of genotypes showed little differences in their photosynthetic activity and their composition of pigments. At 14 °C, photosynthetic activity was considerably reduced but the chilling-tolerant genotypes displayed higher photosynthetic rates than the chilling-sensitive ones. Plants grown at 14 °C showed a reduced chlorophyll (Chl) a + b content and a reduced Chl a / b ratio but an increased ratio of total carotenoids to Chl a + b . These changes in pigment composition in plants grown at low temperature were generally more pronounced in the chilling-sensitive genotypes than in the tolerant ones, particularly at high PFD. Furthermore, at 14 °C, all the genotypes showed increased ratios of lutein, neoxanthin and xanthophyll-cycle carotenoids to Chl a + b but a reduced ratio of β -carotene to Chl a + b , especially at high PFD. At 14 °C, the chilling-tolerant genotypes, when compared with the sensitive ones, were characterized by higher contents of β -carotene and neoxanthin, a lower content of xanthophyll-cycle carotenoids, a lower ratio of xanthophylls to β -carotene, and less of their xanthophyll-cycle carotenoid pool in the form of zeaxanthin. These differences between the two classes of genotypes were more pronounced at high PFD than at low PFD. The results are discussed in terms of the relationship that may exist in maize between pigment composition and the capacity to form an efficient photosynthetic apparatus at low growth temperature.     

Chromatic photoacclimation, photosynthetic electron transport and oxygen evolution in the chlorophyll d-containing oxyphotobacterium Acaryochloris marina

Changes in photosynthetic pigment ratios showed that the Chlorophyll d-dominated oxyphotobacterium Acaryochloris marina was able to photoacclimate to different light regimes. Chl d per cell were higher in cultures grown under low irradiance and red or green light compared to those found when grown under high white light, but phycocyanin/Chl d and carotenoid/Chl d indices under the corresponding conditions were lower. Chl a, considered an accessory pigment in this organism, decreased respective to Chl d in low irradiance and low intensity non-white light sources. Blue diode PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) fluorometry was able to be used to measure photosynthesis in Acaryochloris. Light response curves for Acaryochloris were created using both PAM and O(2) electrode. A linear relationship was found between electron transport rate (ETR), measured using a PAM fluorometer, and oxygen evolution (net and gross photosynthesis). Gross photosynthesis and ETR were directly proportional to one another. The optimum light for white light (quartz halogen) was about 206+/-51 micromol m(-2) s(-1) (PAR) (Photosynthetically Active Radiation), whereas for red light (red diodes) the optimum light was lower (109+/-27 micromol m(-2) s(-1) (PAR)). The maximum mean gross photosynthetic rate of Acaryochloris was 73+/-7 micromol mg Chl d(-1) h(-1). The gross photosynthesis/respiration ratio (P(g)/R) of Acaryochloris under optimum conditions was about 4.02+/-1.69. The implications of our findings will be discussed in relation to how photosynthesis is regulated in Acaryochloris.     

Impacts of Elevated CO2 Concentration on Biochemical Composition,Carbonic Anhydrase, and Nitrate Reductase Activity of Freshwater Green Algae

To investigate the biochemical response of freshwater green algae to elevated CO2 concentrations,Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang cells were cultured at different CO2concentrations within the range 3-186 μmol/L and the biochemical composition, carbonic anhydrase (CA),and nitrate reductase activities of the cells were investigated. Chlorophylls (Chl), carotenoids, carbonhydrate,and protein contents were enhanced to varying extents with increasing CO2 concentration from 3-186μmol/L. The CO2 enrichment significantly increased the Chl a/Chl b ratio in Chlorella pyrenoidosa, but not in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The CO2 concentration had significant effects on CA and nitrate reductase activity. Elevating CO2 concentration to 186 μmol/L caused a decline in intracellular and extracellullar CA activity. Nitrate reductase activity, under either light or dark conditions, in C. reinhardtii and C. pyrenoidosa was also significantly decreased with CO2 enrichment. From this study, it can be concluded that CO2enrichment can affect biochemical composition, CA, and nitrate reductase activity, and that the biochemical response was species dependent.